Using a ESP8266 Wifi Module

The information on this page refers to firmware v2.29e and higher.

Since firmware version v2.28e, communication via Wifi using the popular ESP8266 Wifi module is available.

Ordering Information

Things to have at minimum:

• ESP-01 ESP8266 Wifi Module with 1MB (8Mb) flash
• USB-to-serial adapter

The need for a ESP8266 Wifi module should be obvious. The USB-to-serial adapter is required for flashing the ESP8266 module with a dedicated firmware and upload other files to the ESP8266. However, you probably have one anyhow, since it's also needed for upgrading STorM32 v1.x main boards.

It is important to get the correct ESP8266 module. Quite many different versions are available, see e.g. [1]. You need a module with 1MB (8Mb) flash, since the STorM32's ESP firmware is made for that flash size.

With proper cabling any ESP8266 module with said flash size can be used. However, the STorM32 v3.x boards are prepared for hosting a ESP-01 module. The original EPS-01 module has only 512KBB (4Mb) flash and is thus not suitable. You need a "new" EPS-01 module, which nowadays are in fact mostly sold. These are typically black instead of blue, and come with a label "AI-Cloud inside", or as ESP-01s "s series".

Installation

The installation consists of three steps: flashing the ESP8266 module with the dedicated firmware, uploading some data files to the ESP8266 module, and connecting the EPS8266 module to the StorM32 controller.